YES, believe it or not, Eden Park is 40 years old this year and we take a walk down the once dusty, untarred roads.
Where were you at the beginning of 1976 when people from Germiston (Dukathole), Cape Stand (Thokoza), Edenvale and Kempton Park started to move into the area?
Do you still remember how from January to April 1976 Eden Park had residents in only four streets with occupied homes in Petersen, Gorward, Benz and Bently streets?
A resident in Borgward Street, Norah Jones, still has memories of the first four months in Eden Park after she had moved into her new house with her new neighbours.
Recalling the times, she said, “I can still remember when we had only one shop in Audie Street, owned by the late Mr Ike Williams. Mobile classes were placed at the now Eden Park Primary and every church was allowed to use a classroom for services.
“Oh yes, and 40 years ago, Abraham Street, the main street, where taxis and buses ran up and down, was just a broad dusty road with deep furrows caused by rainwater. The buses, operating only in the morning and late afternoon, travelled in Petersen Street, up in Abraham Street and turned into Bentley and out through Adler Street. The first and only bus stop was at the corner of Adler and Borgward streets at Aunt Mama’s Place.”
Many residents can still remember what horror they experienced during their first six months in Eden Park when the Soweto school riots occurred on June 16, 1976. By then residents had to struggle getting to work and back, with no buses operating.
Many also still remember the old Eden park of 1976 when owners of the first houses was the Alberton Municipality Rates Office where new residents collected their house keys and a new two-plate stove. The second house was the local clinic which was run by Aunt Jessie who was a no-nonsense nurse.
“I still remember Aunt Jessie. She did not want dirty babies at the clinic. She checked every mother’s nappy bag to inspect the nappies. Dirty or dark-coloured nappies had the mothers in trouble,” said a laughing Nora.
By the end of 1976 Eden Park had two extensions, namely Slangheuwel and Paddavlei. Little Germiston was built at a later stage for the remaining residents of Dukathole in Germiston They moved in but many moved out at night and moved back to Germiston.
The boys and girls born in Eden Park in 1976 are all 40 years old this year. Many of them are now well established, married and hold good jobs. Others are grandparents, pastors, teachers and community leaders.
Happy 40th birthday Eden Park and to all those born in 1976.
*If you have an extraordinary story from 1976 in Eden Park you wish to share with our readers, forward details to cvdwalt@caxton.co.za.
